Video shows moment feds arrest ex-Judge Joel Cano and wife for allegedly sheltering illegal Tren de Aragua gang member

New video captured the moment a recently retired New Mexico judge and his wife were hauled away in cuffs by the feds for allegedly sheltering a suspected Tren de Aragua gangbanger at their home.

The footage, shot by KFOX14 News, showed ex-Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, being taken into custody following the federal raid at their Las Cruces home on Thursday.

At one point, the seemingly calm Democratic judge could be seen with his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke to a heavily armed FBI agent on the sidewalk.

His wife was spotted being escorted away in handcuffs by a female Homeland Security Investigation officer.

The judge was subsequently hit with a tampering with evidence charge, while his spouse was charged with conspiracy to tamper.

The raid came soon after it was revealed Cano had quietly tendered his resignation last month after the couple were accused of harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez — an accused illegal migrant who the feds say is a member of the violent Venezuelan gang.

Immigration authorities had nabbed the 23-year-old alleged gang member at the couple’s home on Feb. 28.

In a separate raid at the home of the couple’s daughter, ICE recovered four firearms — some of which allegedly belong to Ortega-Lopez, investigators said.

Cano, who had served as a judge since 2011, made no mention of the migrant’s arrest in his resignation letter.

Ortega-Lopez had allegedly been living in the couple’s guesthouse after he was initially hired by Nancy to work as a handyman, according to court documents.

The feds have alleged Ortega-Lopez has known TdA tattoos, as well as clothing and social media posts linking him to the gang.

Social media photos show Ortega-Lopez posing for Christmas photos with the Cano family.
He allegedly entered the US unlawfully in 2023 — crossing the border near Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 15.

He was released just days after with a notice to appear before a federal immigration judge.

He is now being held on federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.